Sinner's Revenge(86)
Fear of her hurting.
Fear of not being able to protect her.
But most of all, I fear that Sinner’s Creed isn’t my greatest love anymore.
28
DIEM
I’VE NEVER REALLY been scared in my entire life. Even when I was a little girl, I was fearless. I often pretended to be afraid because I got attention from it, but it was just an act. In this moment though, I’m terrified.
It’s not my only life I’m scared for, it’s everyone else who will be affected if I don’t succeed. Dorian is a dick, but he is my father and he believes in the Underground. Hell, he lives for it. His life is absorbed by it. My grandparents, uncles, cousins . . . my entire family is at stake. If I fail, Dorian fails. And if Dorian fails, the Mafia will never forgive him. They will turn on him, and any who choose to stand beside him will be guilty of treason.
He’d put all his faith in me. The whole family had. Now I was so scared I would fuck it up that I couldn’t even focus on my task at hand.
Fin’s room is located at the very end of the hall, on the eighteenth floor, right next to the maintenance room that has to be opened with an electronic card. I count the seconds it takes to get there, and guess that I could get to the stairway in less than five.
I’ve been pretending to be intrigued by what Fin is telling me, but he’s just rambling about his plans to buy a private island, so I don’t pay him much attention. When he opens the door, I walk in and head straight to the minibar that has already been picked over.
“So you gonna wire the money now?” he asks, and I can tell by his voice that he’s growing impatient.
Sitting on the edge of the desk, I sip from the whiskey bottle and try to look sexy in an attempt to distract him. “Is it just about the money with you, Fin? I thought you liked my company.”
His eyes drag slowly up my body, taking in my tight jeans and sleeveless silk top that accents my cleavage. There ya go, big boy. Think with your other head. I can control it better.
Pulling my lip between my teeth, I widen my eyes, feigning innocence and lust. “How about I freshen up first, then we can talk money.”
He walks closer, every step making my heart pound harder in my chest. But I appear unaffected. “No need to freshen up, baby. I like my bitches a little dirty.” Without warning, he grabs my wrist, slinging me onto the bed. My purse falls to the floor, too far out of my reach.
The look of horror on my face doesn’t go unnoticed, and for a minute I think he’s going to leave me alone. But then, he grabs my purse, retrieving my gun and holding it up for me to see. “What’s this for?” he growls, his face turning almost purple with anger.
I force a smile, trying to play it off, but my voice doesn’t sound right. “I always carry a gun, baby. You know that.”
“Baby, huh?” he huffs, shaking his head. “You ain’t never called me baby.” I stiffen the moment I see that lightbulb go off in his head. “You’re fuckin’ playin’ me, ain’t you?” I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. “I’m going to fuck you up, but before I kill you, you’re going to make that call and give me my money.”
Narrowing my eyes, I dig deep and find the strength I know I have inside me somewhere. Love was for pussies and it had weakened me. I force myself to push thoughts of what will happen to Shady, to Dorian, and all of my family to the back of my mind. If I’m going to die today, I’m going to do it with my fucking dignity.
“I’m not giving you shit,” I spit, feeling the sense of satisfaction spread through me like warm honey at the look on his face. “You think you’re gonna accomplish something by killing me? Dorian has ten more in line to take my spot. Do your worst.” I throw my arms out, inviting him over.
“Oh, I know your death will likely mean nothing. But I can guarantee that I will enjoy doing it. Don’t be so quick to invite me over, sweetheart; it’s gonna be a long night for you. But first, the drive.”
He holds his hand out. Like hell I am going to give it back. I only have two options—lay here and die, or get up and fight. Unlucky for him, I’m a fighter. He moves quick, fisting his hand in my hair and backhanding me hard across my face. I spit back at him, which only earns me another slap that immediately has my eye swelling.
Like a switch, I turn it all off and feel nothing. I’ve been here before and this time is no different. Pain is weakness to me and I refuse to feel it in this moment.
Pulling back my leg, I kick him hard in the shin. He grunts, tossing me back on the bed. Straddling me, he rips open my blouse. I let him get all of two seconds with the bare breasts beneath it before putting my knee in his crotch. His face contorts and I waste no time gouging my thumbs into his eyes. It’s enough of a distraction to get out from under him and I’m on my feet.